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If you are a Rotarian, you know that
November is the Foundation Month.

You also know that money from The Rotary Foundation (TRF) is what Clubs around the world use for projects that change/transform lives in communities. All the money you give to TRF, comes back as grants that empower Rotarians to approach challenges such as poverty, illiteracy, and malnutrition with sustainable solutions that leave a lasting impact.

TRF awarded $86,677,399 in funding to 1,306 grants during fiscal year 2018.

On Tuesday 19th
November, PDG Eric Kimani gave a talk about giving to TRF. The focus of his
talk was how to make giving a lifestyle.

Eric Kimani is a business leader, entrepreneur, philanthropist, published author, motivational and inspirational speaker with extensive experience in the management of organizational change and emerging technology.He has been a Rotarian for the last 30 years.

“One thing I do a lot, is give
to TRF. It is my way if living an abundant life. Recently, the Rotary Club of Muthaiga North where
I am a member, got a global grant which bought equipment for Karatina, Kangema
and Kiambu Hospitals. The equipment saved the life of a child in Karatina who
would have died if the equipment had not been present at that time.

I know my money bought that
equipment. That is why I am dedicated in giving to TRF. Not only will 50% of
the money you give come back to your District in three years, but the money has
great impact on others,” said Kimani

There are several ways you can give to TRF.

PDG Eric Kimani highlights the importance of giving to the TRF

Annual Fund

Money given to this fund is
invested for three years. After three years, 50% goes back to the giver and the
other 50% goes to the Permanent Fund which finances various sustainable
projects around the world.

Your gift
to the Annual Fund helps Rotary clubs take action today to create positive
change in communities at home and around the world. Your contributions help
strengthen peace efforts, provide clean water and sanitation, support
education, grow local economies, save mothers and children, and fight disease.

Every Rotarian Every Year (EREY)

Apart
from contributing to the Annual Fund on a regular basis, Rotarians encouraged to
contribute at least $100 to the Annual Fund every year. You become a Rotary
Foundation Sustaining Member when you give $100 or more per year to the Annual Fund.

The Polio Fund

You can be part of ending Polio by
giving to the Polio Fund. Rotary is giving US$50 million in grants to support
the global effort to end polio. The funding will provide surveillance,
technical assistance, and operational support for immunization activities, and
will reach up to 38.4 million children with polio immunizations. The funding
comes on the heels of the announcement that wild poliovirus type 3 (WPV3) has
been eradicated globally.

Endowment Fund

The money given to this fund
is invested by Rotary 100%. Only investment income is used to support Rotary
projects.

How I started giving

“Back in the day when I had
just joined Rotary, the perception was that Rotary was a club for the rich. In
the late 90s, it became more affordable to give. I started by giving $100. I
became a Paul Harris Fellow (PHF) in 2001 after I cumulatively gave $1,000. I
then decided to make my wife and daughters PHFs. I gave $3,000 over a period of
five years. Because of my consistent giving I became a Major Donor – a donor
who cumulatively has given $10,000,” Kimani said.

When you
give $1,000 or more to the Annual Fund, PolioPlus, or an approved Foundation
grant. To recognize someone else as a Paul Harris Fellow, you can give that
amount in their name. Learn more about Paul
Harris Fellow recognition.

PDG Kimani is currently a
level 2 donor. He is working towards being a Level 3. To get to Level 3, he has
committed to give $100 to the Polio Fund each year, and Ksh 1,000 each week in form
of happy dollars. This committed giving will cumulatively get to the $50,000.

Level 1: $10,000 to $24,999

Level 2: $25,000 to $49,999

Level 3: $50,000 to $99,999

Level 4: $100,000 to $249,999

When your cumulative donations reach $250,000. Recognition includes an induction ceremony and your picture and biography in the Arch Klumph Society interactive gallery at the Rotary International headquarters in Evanston, Illinois, USA. You also receive invitations to society events, along with membership pins and crystals that commemorate giving at the following levels. Learn more about the Arch Klumph Society.

PDG Eric Kimani receives a certificate for the awesome talk

History of The Rotary Foundation

At the 1917 convention, outgoing RI
President Arch C. Klumph proposed to set up an endowment “for the purpose of
doing good in the world.” In 1928, it was renamed The Rotary Foundation, and it
became a distinct entity within Rotary International.

In 1929, the Foundation made its
first gift of $500 to the International Society for Crippled Children. The
organization, created by Rotarian Edgar F. “Daddy” Allen, later grew into
Easter Seals. When Rotary founder Paul Harris died in 1947, contributions began
pouring in to Rotary International, and the Paul Harris Memorial Fund was
created to build the Foundation.

Evolution of Foundation programs

1947: The Foundation established its
first program, Fellowships for Advance Study, later known as Ambassadorial
Scholarships.

1965-66: Three programs were
launched: Group Study Exchange, Awards for Technical Training, and Grants for
Activities in Keeping with the Objective of The Rotary Foundation, which was
later called Matching Grants.

1978: Rotary introduced the Health,
Hunger and Humanity (3-H) Grants. The first 3-H Grant funded a project to
immunize 6 million Philippine children against polio.

Since the first donation of $26.50
in 1917, the Foundation has received contributions totaling more than $1
billion.

https://www.rotarynairobieast.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/IMG_3105-scaled.jpg17072560Caleb Mbuvihttps://www.rotarynairobieast.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/RCNE-Logo.pngCaleb Mbuvi2019-11-29 17:35:402019-11-29 18:04:23PDG Eric Kimani shares tips that will help you become a major donor to the Rotary Foundation